applications Archives

Winsage

November 8, 2024

“Don’t kill Android (WSA) in Windows 11” is now a top feedback, but will Microsoft listen?

Microsoft will discontinue the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) in 2025, along with the removal of the Amazon Appstore from the Microsoft Store. Many users rely on WSA for accessing Android applications not available on Windows, leading to significant disappointment among them. A post on the Feedback Hub advocating for WSA has received nearly 700 upvotes, indicating user frustration. WSA is seen as essential for both daily tasks and for developers testing Android applications. The decision to discontinue WSA is linked to the financial performance of the Microsoft Store and a lack of support from Google. Initially, WSA was only available in the United States, which limited its user base.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Microsoft tests emulator to bring support for x64 apps and games to Windows on Arm: What it means for users

Microsoft is testing a significant update for systems using Qualcomm's Arm-based processors, introduced in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build. This update includes a tool that enhances Copilot Plus PCs with Snapdragon X Elite or X Plus processors through its Prism emulation layer, allowing a wider range of x64 applications and games to run on these devices. The update aims to enable high-demand games like Starfield and Helldivers 2 on Arm-based Windows devices and is currently being trialed by Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel. The update improves the usability of 64-bit x86 software, providing access to processor extensions like AVX and AVX2, enhancing performance and compatibility. However, 32-bit software will still face limitations. Many applications, including Photoshop, Hulu, and Chrome, have transitioned to native ARM64 versions, while others rely on emulation. Adobe has re-enabled Premiere Pro for Windows 11 ARM devices powered by the Snapdragon X chip, allowing it to run under emulation after previously disabling it due to performance issues. Premiere Pro is now available within the Creative Cloud app, although performance may not match that of Intel or AMD-based machines. A native ARM version of Premiere Pro is in development, but no release date has been announced. Photoshop is currently the only Adobe application available natively for Windows on ARM, while other applications like After Effects are expected to gain support through emulation. Adobe's move aligns with its commitment to enhance its Creative Suite for Windows on ARM, and competitors like DaVinci Resolve are also working on native ARM versions of their software. Microsoft's Clipchamp has already been established as an ARM-native solution.

AppWizard

November 8, 2024

Godfather Is A Risk To Android Users Worldwide As 500 Apps Targeted

A new variant of the Godfather banking trojan is targeting over 500 Android banking and cryptocurrency applications globally. Initially focused in the U.S., U.K., and Europe, its reach has expanded to countries including Azerbaijan, Greece, Japan, and Singapore. The malware has transitioned from Java to native code, enhancing its ability to exploit Android’s accessibility services and mimic user actions through gesture automation commands. It employs social engineering tactics, such as a fraudulent website posing as the official MyGov site of the Australian Government, to distribute malicious files. Once installed, the malware communicates with a control server, collects device information, and replaces legitimate banking applications with phishing pages to steal credentials. The Godfather malware has become more difficult to analyze and poses a significant threat to users worldwide.

AppWizard

November 8, 2024

Timed Silence: An Open Source Android App to Automatically Silence Your Phone

Timed Silence is a Kotlin-based application for Android, created by Felix Nüsse, that manages smartphone volume settings, allowing users to mute, vibrate, or ring with sound. The app requires initial setup permissions and features an intuitive interface with a pause/play button. Users can create custom schedules, including pre-defined ones for "Night" and "Day." The app effectively activates Do Not Disturb (DND) at scheduled times, muting notifications while allowing calls and messages from specified contacts. Additional features include Calendar integration, Keywords for managing volume levels, Bluetooth compatibility, and a Sanity Check for priority contacts. The app is available on F-Droid, with source code and APKs on GitHub.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Microsoft starts rolling out AI to these decades old popular tools on Windows

Microsoft is integrating advanced AI capabilities into its Paint and Notepad applications. Paint will feature Generative Fill, allowing users to add or alter image elements through text prompts, and Generative Erase, enabling the removal of unwanted objects while filling in the background. These features are being rolled out to Windows Insiders, with Generative Fill initially available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs and Generative Erase accessible to all Windows 11 users. Notepad will introduce a Rewrite feature for rephrasing text, currently in preview for select regions, and has improved launch performance, reducing app launch time by over 35% for most users and up to 55% for some.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Windows on Arm apps are about to get access to the secret sauce Adobe used to get Premiere Pro 25 to work on Copilot+ PCs

Windows on Arm PCs with the Snapdragon X Elite processor are receiving a preview build of Windows 11 that enhances Prism emulation, specifically Build 27744. This update expands support for various CPU features, allowing non-native Arm applications to run more efficiently. The update increases the range of 64-bit x86 applications that can be emulated, integrating support for additional CPU extensions like AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C. Currently, only x64 applications are supported, and users can provide feedback on compatibility and performance issues. Additionally, the Start menu has been simplified, a new Gamepad keyboard layout is being introduced for Xbox controller navigation, the Task Manager's Disconnect and Logoff dialogs have been updated for dark mode and text scaling, and the detach virtual hard disk button has returned in the Settings menu.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Watch out, Windows Notepad users: Here comes AI

Microsoft has introduced an AI-powered Rewrite feature for Notepad, available to Windows Insiders running Windows 11. Users need the latest Canary or Dev build of Windows 11 and must be signed in with a Microsoft account linked to the Insider program to access the feature. The Rewrite process allows users to modify text by selecting it and using the Rewrite button or shortcut Ctrl + I, generating three distinct versions of the text. AI credits are required for content generation, with initial allocations set at 50 credits for users in select countries and 60 credits monthly for Microsoft 365 subscribers. The Rewrite feature is currently limited to Dev or Canary builds of Windows 11 and may take time to reach the standard version of Notepad.

AppWizard

November 8, 2024

Can the Snapdragon 8 Elite run Popular PC Games?

The realme GT 7 Pro, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, has demonstrated the capability to run AAA PC games like Assassin’s Creed Black Flag at 60 frames per second with a GPU usage rate of around 70%. Videos have also shown the device running Assassin’s Creed Rogue and Grand Theft Auto V. The gaming performance is facilitated by an upcoming application called GameFusion, which is designed for running demanding games on mobile devices. The developers of GameFusion have faced scrutiny for past work on the EggNS emulator and have introduced a paid subscription model. There is an ongoing partnership with GameSir, and details about GameFusion's availability and business model are currently unclear.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

The Windows 11 24H2 bug list grows again: 10 reasons to avoid this update for now

Microsoft released the Windows 11 24H2 update on October 1, 2023, which includes enhancements like an upgraded Copilot AI and a refreshed File Explorer. However, the update has several bugs, leading Microsoft to temporarily halt its rollout for certain problematic PCs. Key issues include: 1. The System File Checker (SFC) is caught in a loop of false positives, misidentifying WebView2-related files as corrupted. 2. An 8.63GB update cache cannot be deleted through standard methods, but can be removed using "Windows Update Cleanup." 3. The update conflicts with Easy Anti-Cheat software, causing blue screens for users with Intel's Alder Lake+ processors. 4. Blue screens can also occur due to driver incompatibilities with Intel Smart Sound Technology, certain Western Digital SSDs, and MSI Z890 motherboards. 5. The mouse pointer may disappear in Chromium-based applications when interacting with text input fields. 6. Users have reported erratic internet connectivity, with some unable to receive a valid IP address. 7. Fingerprint sensors may become unresponsive on some devices. 8. The clipboard history feature may malfunction, showing as empty despite copied items. 9. Devices may fail to appear in the network list, affecting file and printer sharing. 10. Users of Copilot+ PCs face difficulties with printer setup and usage, particularly with HP, Canon, and Brother printers. Due to these issues, users are advised to delay installation of the update until fixes are implemented.

AppWizard

November 7, 2024

the AI of ASI Alliance that learns and adapts on Minecraft

The ASI Alliance has introduced AIRIS, an AI system that learns autonomously within Minecraft, representing a significant step towards artificial general intelligence (AGI). AIRIS, which stands for Autonomous Intelligent Reinforcement Inferred Symbolism, is designed to adapt independently in a virtual environment, showcasing dynamic learning capabilities. Developed in collaboration with partners like SingularityNET, Fetch.ai, and Ocean Data, AIRIS utilizes a robust infrastructure to efficiently store and process information. It features real-time environmental adaptation, allowing it to navigate complex terrains and develop its own rules based on observations. AIRIS also aims to cultivate advanced interaction skills, including construction and object creation, potentially enabling collaborative tasks with other agents. The ultimate goal is to apply AIRIS in real-world scenarios, such as autonomous robots and intelligent assistants, across various sectors requiring adaptive learning and problem-solving abilities.